Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-03
THE TRAGEDY OF A CORONET.
A STRANGE COMBINATION OF CIRCUN-
STANCES IN KNGLISH LIFE

STRANGE COMBINATION OF ClhCUA-
STANCES IN ENGLISH LIFE
The tidal train was on the point OF starting from
Charing Cross People were hurrying TO and fro,
1ostling each other rudely, for the station was
crowded. Porters were driving trucks piled with
luggage rscklessly along the platform, regardless
OF life or limb.
In an otherwise empty compartment OF q FIRST
class carriage Captain Charles Fitzgerald settled
himself and his belongings with q view 70 luxuri.
Gus comfort, and was oongratulattn2 himself that
he would remain und:sturbed a. far as Dover for
the door was locked and the train, az have said
was Just about 20 start He was In the act of
unfolding the yet damp sheets OF the Spectator,
when the key was hastily applied to the door and
9 young man sprang In, supplemented by q
neatly-strapped rug and q travenng-bag. The
whistle sounded, the door was banged, and they
were on.
"a near thing9 observed the newcomer, rather
out OF breath. And all owing to an ass of cab
man. Would insist on Charging me three shillings
from the Easton road
Better pay three shilings than lose Your train !"
observed Fitzgerald, with a smile
On, yes; that's al very well, but three shilnngs
Is consideration TO me-" returned the other
frankly, as he unstrapped his rug. For the night
was cold, though It was tina end OF July.
fitzgerald tilted his cap further over his eyes,
thinking the while what q singuarly pleasant
face his companion had II there was one thing
upon which Charles Fitzgerald prtded himself, and
with some reason, IL was his astuteness In read.
FitzS.raid himself was a big. good-natured fell
sleepy gray eyes, a sweeping, fair mustaehe, and
an air OF being on easy terms with the world In
quite ,a eOe IHs ana ad
deicate-featured, gfrish face, with laughing, hSht
hazel eyes and sunny hair. He was clean shaved,
and was dressed In =. SUIT Of DARK tweed Which,
though well made appeared slightly the worse Tor
trayepa m f h nas Iy ~ his corner and
became absorbed In the Sportsmdn- Some miles
had been traversed in silence, when Fitzgeraid,
producing his cigar-case, selected cigar and Oh
fered one TO his companion
''Thank you. i don't smoke" said the other,
looking up from his paper with q smile.
Fitzgerald looked surprised.
mo? thought you looked like smoker" he
said, as he struck match.
'T don't care about II" returned his companion.
.Besides," thoughtfuly. II ind 1t clouds the
BRAIN"
aAh. perhapa. Then presume you don't drink
eitherfs
no." with another smile
well, don't know but that you are right" OBJ.
served Fitzgerald, laZ1ly. 1--WE often thought Of
going in for that sort OF thing myself. And yeti
might do without liquor, dare say l could-but, by
JOvel don't think could fOrSwear tobacco"
you're crossing tonight, suppose?" said the
other, after pause.
ayes. l have few weeks leave which intend
try don't know. mean TO 20 straight through
TO Madrid, then north as far as Oviedo want to
i shall go as far south as my time allows"
An. that,s curious I'm going to Madrid SO we
time. Do you speak Spanish?"
Every tmperfectly, am sorry to say"
"Wel, can help you there. It's awkward get
i know Spain very well. It's queer country, and
fellow wants all his wits about him"
They got on to talk on various subjects after
this, aud as the train neared Dover Fitzgerald
who was conscious OF rapidly growing liking for
this handsome, gentlemanly young fellow, said
by the way. as we are to be con,paonons de
voyage, We may as well be better acquainted"
And pulling out bis card-case he extracted u card
glanced at Il with = courteous SMILE
I'm sorry haven't card Of mine to give you
ID return ne said, with boyish look Of regret In
bis handsome eyes, "but my name Is ROyston-
Julian ROyston-"
Here the train ran along the platform at Dover,
passengers and fastened on board the waiting
boat. II had begun 10 rain, and the air felt raw
1T looks like dirty night" observed Royston,
turning up his coat collar and regarding the sky
sttent1veiy, as the steamer dipped and rocked
"SOrry TO hear it, said Fitzgerald with a shrug
81 his broad shoulders Its Tad lookout for
me-"
just then the boat, which had left the pier
some minutes before, began TO pitch frighrfuy,
and most of the Passengers On deck became con-
sptcu0us by their abs. nee.
Now truth compeIs me TO state that fine manly
fellow as ne undoubtedly was Captain Fitzgerald
was not particularly good sailor. Indeed, TO be
quite candid he was distinctly the reverse.
Though he had performed = considerable number
Of voyages, the result had been invariably the
drive him precipiJately TO his berth, where he
would remain prostrate for hours, or perhaps
days. disguised and hopeless martyr TO the
anguiShing paroxysmS and degrading aQonieS OF
violent sea-sick ness Therefore as there was q
very respectable gale blowing On the night
speak OF, the boat was barely outside OF Dover
CHANGED color
and tossed away his cigar.
= think I'll 60 down and have some brandy" he
said with decidedly sickly smile, when the
steamer lad executed some truly fendish twists
aid rolls.
see"
Accordingly Fitzgerald went below, and throw
ING himself on an empty corner couch In the dimly
Csaih-Or Calais.
During one OF those respites which, happily,
even TINS cruel and Illuminating malady grants It's
victims, he looked up 70 see RoystOn standing
looking down at hin with some concern.
II say, you are very bad! he said gravey, as
panion.
FITZGERALD evidently thought this remark re-
Q1ired 40 reply, for he made none
"NOw will you let me prescribe for your" went
On Roy ston. bet cure you In a 1iffey."
deep groan was tine only answer.
the prostrate forms around him As steadily aud
GETTY as though II had been dead Calm In a
few minutes he was back again. bearing a lumber
Lie held small folded paper-packet.
NOW, you see." De said, with what appeared to
Fitzgerald heartless gen1ailLy, 81 drop this DOW
ceT-so-into these whipped yelkS Of eggs You
drink IL up, and there you are"
Eggs! tfIzgeral1s very soul revOlted at the
thought.
"On, leave me alone" he groaned wretchedly
And Tor heaTen's sake don't talk 70 me OF any
thing so dsgustinsly loath some as eSxs." But
upon Roystons good-natured entreatfes and repre-
sentatioDs tnat be IFitzgeraD could not be worse
tnan he Was, he finally consented, not without q
few muttered oojurations, To swallow the un-
tempting mixture. ! don't know what the DOW
Der was-wouid that i debut its effects were
marvellous; for within the next fve minutes Capt
Fitzgerald was able 10 sit up free from the slight
est feeling OF squirmishness and declared himself
equal 10 soins on deck.
come along, then, said Royston, good humor-
eoy, linking his arm 10 his companion'S. sHallo!
that Was rollerV For O sudden heaye or the
vessel sent both men Keeling across the cabin full
against the PROSTATE form OF disheveled- LOOKING
elderly lady, who occupied the opposite seat
81 beg your pardon" Stammered FITZGERALD
steadying himself as well he could At the
same moment Roysto: uttered a sharv exclama-
ton OF pain, for an MISUNDERSTANDING poodle
which had been keeping Jealous guard over tts
Il istreas had resented this intrusion-not to men
ton an unintentional dig In the nbs from ROys-
tOn-oy wicked snap AT that gentieman's hight
arm, midway between the wrist and the elbow
.Confound you, you little BRUTE" he NUT
tered, pitching it angnly on the seat re-
"Lets get out OF this" he went on, setting his
companions arm again
"bitten your" inquired Fitzgerald, as they strug-
gled on deck.
.NothinS TO speak Of" said the other careless,y.
pushing on his Gun. 1.-The beast has left his Ieeeh